Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 786 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $219,000.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 379 shares of the company’s stock worth $94,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Marriott International by 0.4% in the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 8,698 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,162,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Haverford Trust Co raised its position in Marriott International by 1.0% during the third quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 4,207 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,046,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,010 shares of the company’s stock worth $500,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,443 shares of the company’s stock valued at $359,000 after buying an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR opened at $284.11 on Monday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $282.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $257.46. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45. The stock has a market cap of $78.95 billion, a PE ratio of 29.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.11 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at $3,372,384.14. This represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total transaction of $2,370,370.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 108,361 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,827,620.89. This trade represents a 7.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the topic of several research reports. Macquarie reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 price target on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $254.00 to $277.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America raised their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $272.15.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc engages in operating, franchising, and licensing hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties worldwide. It operates its properties under the JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, St. Regis, EDITION, Bvlgari, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Element Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, City Express by Marriott, and St.